Castries

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.Castries Castle

.Aqueduct

.Quarries

.Multimedia Library

.Françoise Giroud

Located 15 km east of Montpellier, Castries got its name from an ancient roman castrum built on the Via Domitia. Today the village is dominated by its castle and adorned with a beautiful aqueduct which you can discover on a hiking trail through vineyards and pine forests.

History

Castries takes its name from an ancient Roman Castrum located on the Via Domitia built to link Italy to the Spanish peninsula.

It was most probably a Roman look out post watching over the communication roads below. The castle is mentioned from the end of the 11th century.

Listed as a historic monument in 1966, it is adorned with a french garden designed by Louis XIV’s gardener, André Le Nôtre.

An aqueduct was needed to bring water to the garden.

Built in 1676, it was designed by Pierre-Paul Riquet, the Canal du Midi engineer. It links the Fongrand sources to Guzargues over 7 kms , 1.8 km of which are elevated. Its elegant arches can be admired by following the public footpaths.

Also not to be missed, are the former quarries listed as a historic monument.